Even though I completely agree about the facts presented, I completely disagree with her analysis. Palestinian-Israeli low turnout (49% compared to 69% of the general public) reduced the Arab...
Even though I completely agree about the facts presented, I completely disagree with her analysis. Palestinian-Israeli low turnout (49% compared to 69% of the general public) reduced the Arab parties from 13 seats to 10. Netanyahu won by 4 seats. The low turnout practically gave him the win. As Aymen Odeh, hear of the joint Arab list in the previous elections, said: "There is no electoral math that leads to victory for a center-left-wing coalition without the participation of the Arab parties." Israel is a parliamentary system which means the smaller parties of the coalition hold disproportionally large power and can force the bigger parties to go their way or break the coalition. That's what happened in the previous term with Liebermann's small party pushing (and eventually passing) the infamous Nation-State Law. That's how the small Orthodox parties can pass laws exempting their public from military service, or outlawing public transportation on Saturday despite public sentiment (has 73% support in the general public). A bigger block of Arab parties could, with the help of left-wing Jewish parties, have forced the hand of the coalition to address the frozen peace process, to revert racist legislation, or, at the very least, prevent further rampant right-wing legislation from encroaching on their rights. This was the best last chance to oust Netanyahu, while the public is upset at his corruption scandals - there will not be a next time. And as it stands, those parties can do nearly nothing from the opposition.
Given the apartheid-like state of things in Israel, with walls and checkpoints all over the place, how difficult is it for Palestinians to vote? And was it made any more difficult this election...
Given the apartheid-like state of things in Israel, with walls and checkpoints all over the place, how difficult is it for Palestinians to vote? And was it made any more difficult this election than previous elections? I'm asking because I honestly don't know, or even know where would be a good place to look for that information... but IMO low turnout can only be blamed if disenfranchisement was not actively occurring, since that is a remarkably powerful tool for influencing election results.
When talking about the situation in Israel I think it is important to distinguish between Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (so called "Occupied Territories") and the ones living...
When talking about the situation in Israel I think it is important to distinguish between Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (so called "Occupied Territories") and the ones living in mainland Israel (so called Arab-Israelis). The former do indeed live behind a wall and checkpoints, are not governed by Israeli law, but under military law, are not citizens and cannot vote. The latter are fully functional members of Israeli society, governed by Israeli law, can vote and travel freely. As the article says, they do in-fact get prejudiced against in some cases - not unlike the situation of African-Americans in the states. They consist of ~20% of the Israeli public - larger than the Jewish orthodox, settlers and ultra-right-wing combined. They have members in parliament and supreme court.
I am not aware of any attempts to actively disenfranchise or turn away Arab-Israeli voters. Israel is a small country so travel to a polling place is minimal (mine was actually a 5 minutes walk) and has significant protections in place to prevent election fraud.
Thanks for the detailed response to help me understand the distinction. I am way more ignorant on the situation and politics in Israel than I should be. Do you happen to know any objective places...
Thanks for the detailed response to help me understand the distinction. I am way more ignorant on the situation and politics in Israel than I should be. Do you happen to know any objective places to learn more about it? Is Wikipedia actually a good source for that, in your opinion?
Actually I do. I really enjoyed the historical context given by the Martyrmade Project podcast. It gives a pretty broad and long review, but I think it's pretty well balanced.
Actually I do. I really enjoyed the historical context given by the Martyrmade Project podcast. It gives a pretty broad and long review, but I think it's pretty well balanced.
Even though I completely agree about the facts presented, I completely disagree with her analysis. Palestinian-Israeli low turnout (49% compared to 69% of the general public) reduced the Arab parties from 13 seats to 10. Netanyahu won by 4 seats. The low turnout practically gave him the win. As Aymen Odeh, hear of the joint Arab list in the previous elections, said: "There is no electoral math that leads to victory for a center-left-wing coalition without the participation of the Arab parties." Israel is a parliamentary system which means the smaller parties of the coalition hold disproportionally large power and can force the bigger parties to go their way or break the coalition. That's what happened in the previous term with Liebermann's small party pushing (and eventually passing) the infamous Nation-State Law. That's how the small Orthodox parties can pass laws exempting their public from military service, or outlawing public transportation on Saturday despite public sentiment (has 73% support in the general public). A bigger block of Arab parties could, with the help of left-wing Jewish parties, have forced the hand of the coalition to address the frozen peace process, to revert racist legislation, or, at the very least, prevent further rampant right-wing legislation from encroaching on their rights. This was the best last chance to oust Netanyahu, while the public is upset at his corruption scandals - there will not be a next time. And as it stands, those parties can do nearly nothing from the opposition.
Given the apartheid-like state of things in Israel, with walls and checkpoints all over the place, how difficult is it for Palestinians to vote? And was it made any more difficult this election than previous elections? I'm asking because I honestly don't know, or even know where would be a good place to look for that information... but IMO low turnout can only be blamed if disenfranchisement was not actively occurring, since that is a remarkably powerful tool for influencing election results.
When talking about the situation in Israel I think it is important to distinguish between Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (so called "Occupied Territories") and the ones living in mainland Israel (so called Arab-Israelis). The former do indeed live behind a wall and checkpoints, are not governed by Israeli law, but under military law, are not citizens and cannot vote. The latter are fully functional members of Israeli society, governed by Israeli law, can vote and travel freely. As the article says, they do in-fact get prejudiced against in some cases - not unlike the situation of African-Americans in the states. They consist of ~20% of the Israeli public - larger than the Jewish orthodox, settlers and ultra-right-wing combined. They have members in parliament and supreme court.
I am not aware of any attempts to actively disenfranchise or turn away Arab-Israeli voters. Israel is a small country so travel to a polling place is minimal (mine was actually a 5 minutes walk) and has significant protections in place to prevent election fraud.
Thanks for the detailed response to help me understand the distinction. I am way more ignorant on the situation and politics in Israel than I should be. Do you happen to know any objective places to learn more about it? Is Wikipedia actually a good source for that, in your opinion?
Actually I do. I really enjoyed the historical context given by the Martyrmade Project podcast. It gives a pretty broad and long review, but I think it's pretty well balanced.
Sweet, I love me a good podcast. Thanks again!
p.s. Link for the lazy